Riba Stirling Prize 2014: Liverpool Everyman Theatre wins - BBC News BBC News Riba Stirling Prize 2014: Liverpool Everyman Theatre wins 16 October 2014 Close share panel Media captionStaff and visitors to the new Liverpool Everyman talk about the building Liverpool's newly rebuilt Everyman Theatre has won the Riba Stirling Prize for best new building of the year. The venue beat five other buildings to win the honour - the Royal Institute of British Architects' highest accolade. Riba president Stephen Hodder called the Everyman an "exceptional new building". "It is a ground-breaking example of how to build a daring bold and highly sustainable large public building in a historic city centre," he said. Media captionThe original theatre was taken down brick by brick and each one reused in the new building The Everyman Theatre - famed for launching the careers of actors including Bill Nighy, Julie Walters and Pete Postlethwaite - first opened in 1964 in the shell of a 19th Century chapel on one of Liverpool's main streets.

However over the years it fell into a state of disrepair and architects Haworth Tompkins were tasked with designing a new theatre as part of a nine-year £27m rebuilding project, retaining its theme of being a "theatre for the people". The building's facade features 105 punched aluminium panels portraying life-size images of Liverpool residents. Thousands queued to have their pictures taken, with the successful applicants having digital versions of their pictures etched onto the metal sun shades. Image copyright Philip Vile Image caption The rebuilding process was boosted by £17m of National Lottery funding "The success of this exceptional new building lies in the architect's close involvement with the local community throughout the project," Mr Hodder said. "Haworth Tompkins have struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool with the vibrant new Everyman." The theatre said it was "thrilled" to win the award. "The Everyman was built with humanity at its heart," artistic director Gemma Bodinetz said. "Since we reopened, the warmth of feeling from the public to their much-loved Everyman - given a daring and brilliant rebirth - has been almost overwhelming.

"Haworth Tompkins have delivered us a building that is sustainable, technically first rate and with unparalleled levels of accessibility for a theatre." Everyman Theatre - interactive video Known locally as the "Ev", it was originally housed in a 19th Century chapel Redesign set out to maintain its "grubbiness" and history Taken down brick by brick, so each could be re-used in the new building See the theatre in full in BBC Magazine's interactive video Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins said: "Winning the Riba Stirling Prize is an enormous honour for our project team and our clients, the reward for an intensive collaboration over almost a decade, during which we have grown to love the Everyman and the great city that it serves. "It is also an important endorsement of our studio's ethos and an encouragement to carry on working the way we do, despite the pressures all of us are under to speed up and dumb down. We couldn't be more delighted." The other shortlisted buildings included London's Shard and the Library of Birmingham - which topped the BBC News website readers' poll with 30% of about 90,000 votes.

Manchester School of Art, the London Aquatics Centre and the LSE Student Centre were also nominated. Last year's winner was Astley Castle in Warwickshire, a modern holiday home inserted into the walls of an ancient castle. Several other awards were also announced on Thursday with Stormy Castle on Gower Peninsula in Wales winning the 2014 RIBA Manser Medal for the best new private home. House No 7 on Isle of Tiree in Scotland, won the Stephen Lawrence Prize for the best project with a construction budget of less than £1m.

Image copyright Philip Vile RIBA Stirling Prize 2014: Liverpool's Everyman Theatre named winner | The Independent RIBA Stirling Prize 2014: Liverpool's Everyman Theatre named winner Theatre beats off competition from the Shard, the Library of Birmingham, and the London Aquatics Centre Thursday 16 October 2014 19:58 BST Click to follow The Independent Culture The Everyman, revamped by Haworth Tompkins PA The rebuilt Everyman Theatre, the so-called “theatre of the people” in Liverpool that launched the careers of actors including Jonathan Pryce and Julie Walters, has won the most prestigious award in British architecture. The judges of the RIBA Stirling Prize said the 2014 winner was “truly for every man, woman and child” and hailed it as a 21st century theatre that “celebrates the past”. It beat a strong shortlist that included the Shard, the Library of Birmingham, and the London Aquatics Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, to the award.

Architects Haworth Tompkins, who also designed the revamp of the Bristol Old Vic, received the award at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London this evening. The Everyman reopened this spring after a decade of planning in a project that cost £28m. Gemma Bodinetz, the artistic director of the 440-seat theatre, said it embodied the “renegade and generous spirit of the city”.

RIBA Award 2014 winners 1/20 London Bridge Tower/The Shard by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, London 2/20 Tate Britain, Millbank Project by Caruso St John Architects, London 3/20 Poole Harbour Second Crossing by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Poole, Dorset 4/20 John Henry Brookes Building by Design Engine Architects, Oxford 5/20 Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft by Adam Richards Architects, Ditchling, East Sussex 6/20 London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects, London 7/20 London Library by Haworth Tompkins, London 8/20 Britten-Pears Archive by Stanton Williams, Aldeburgh, Suffolk 9/20 Mary Rose Museum by Wilkinson Eyre Architects/Pringle Brandon Perkins+Will, Portsmouth 10/20 King’s Cross Station Redevelopment by John McAslan + Partners, London 11/20 Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins, Liverpool 12/20 Red Bridge House by Smerin Architects, Redbridge Lane, Crowborough, Surrey 13/20 Porthmeor Artists’ Studios and

 Fishermens’ Cellars by Long & Kentish architects, St Ives 14/20 Cliff House by Dualchas Architects, Isle of Skye, Scotland 15/20 TNG Youth and Community Centre by RCKa, London 16/20 House No.

7 by Denizen Works, Isle of Tiree, Scotland 17/20 St George's Chapel by Hopkins Architects, Great Yarmouth 18/20 Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo, Birmingham 19/20 Private House (Lens House) by Alison Brooks Architects, London 20/20 Police Service of Northern Ireland Memorial Garden by Hall McKnight, Belfast, Northern Ireland The judges commended the theatre’s “quirky sense of humour” as well as its “clever use of materials with interlocking spaces and brilliant lighting”. They praised the first naturally ventilated auditoriums in the country which also maintained “total acoustic isolation”. Stephen Hodder, president of RIBA, said the architects had “struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool”. Most notable to passers-by is the new façade; replacing a low-key brick front is a “striking exterior” that features solar panels with pictures of 105 Liverpudlians.

Steve Tompkins, of Haworth Tompkins, said he “couldn’t be more delighted” at the prize for an “intensive collaboration over almost a decade, during which we have grown to love the Everyman and the great city that it serves”. The interior of the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool (PA) The original theatre opened in 1964 in the shell of a 19th century chapel on a busy thoroughfare in Liverpool, yet by the turn of the century it had fallen into disrepair. Ms Bodinetz said: “10 years ago when we embarked on this journey with Haworth Tompkins we could never have imagined it would end in winning the Riba Stirling Prize; they have designed a building that supplies joy beyond expectations to every visitor and those of us lucky enough to work there.” A series of actors spent formative years on the Everyman stage including Pete Postlethwaite, David Morrissey and Anthony Sher. One photo of the so-called “class of 1974” shows a company of actors before they achieved national fame that included Walters, Bill Nighy and Nicholas Le Prevost.

The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins architects wins 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize for the best new building of the year The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins architects wins 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize for the best new building of the year Contact us Work for us The new Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 for the best building of the year. Now in its 19th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize. The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy to Haworth Tompkins took place at a special ceremony this evening (Thursday 16 October) at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. The old Everyman Theatre in Liverpool opened in 1964 in the shell of a nineteenth century chapel on one of Liverpool’s main streets. Although a much-loved institution, the building itself was in a state of disrepair. The decision to pull the theatre down and replace it with a new one has been a nine-year project for the architects Haworth Tompkins.

They have expertly met a difficult challenge: that of creating an entirely new and sustainable building, whilst retaining and revitalising the best-loved features of its predecessor. The architects were tasked with ensuring that the soul of the old Everyman, one of informality and community ownership – the ‘theatre of the people’- was carried into the new building. The result is a new building with a striking exterior and elegant interior, all with exceptional attention to detail and sustainability credentials. Speaking tonight, RIBA President Stephen Hodder said: 'The success of this exceptional new building lies in the architect’s close involvement with the local community throughout the project. Haworth Tompkins have struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool with the vibrant new Everyman. Complementing beautifully with the surrounding listed buildings, it is a ground-breaking example of how to build a daring bold and highly sustainable large public building in a historic city centre.

The building exceeds expectations and I am delighted to present Haworth Tompkins with the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize.' Speaking tonight, Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins said: 'Winning the RIBA Stirling Prize is an enormous honour for our project team and our clients, the reward for an intensive collaboration over almost a decade, during which we have grown to love the Everyman and the great city that it serves. It is also an important endorsement of our studio's ethos and an encouragement to carry on working the way we do, despite the pressures all of us are under to speed up and dumb down. We couldn't be more delighted.' Everyman & Playhouse Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz and Executive Director Deborah Aydon said: 'We’re thrilled to have won this most prestigious of awards. The Everyman was built with humanity at its heart, an intent embodied by the 105 people of Liverpool on its façade. Since we reopened the warmth of feeling from the public to their much-loved Everyman – given a daring and brilliant rebirth from Haworth Tompkins – has been almost overwhelming.

Haworth Tompkins have delivered us a building that is sustainable, technically first rate and with unparalleled levels of accessibility for a theatre. On a small site with many competing needs and technical necessities they overcame every challenge with zeal and imagination to create something which is a beautiful as it is functional. But most of all they have transformed a building that lacked so much into a building that embodies what the Everyman’s ethos has always been: world-class theatre in our auditorium, nurturing new writing, great food in convivial spaces, and somewhere for young people to dream of a future where nothing is impossible. Ten years ago when we embarked on this journey with Haworth Tompkins we could never have imagined it would end in winning the RIBA Stirling Prize: they have designed a building that supplies joy beyond expectation to every visitor and those of us lucky enough to work there.' The judges citation for the RIBA Stirling Prize winner: 'The new Everyman in Liverpool is truly for every man, woman and child. It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day.

Its context - the handsome street that links the two cathedrals – is brilliantly complemented by the building’s scale, transparency, materials and quirky sense of humour, notably where the solar shading is transformed into a parade of Liverpudlians. The ambience of the theatre is hugely welcoming with three elegant and accessible public foyers for bars, lounges and café/bistro. Clever use of materials with interlocking spaces and brilliant lighting make this an instantly enjoyable new public space for the city. It is exceptionally sustainable; not only did the construction re-use 90% of the material from the old theatre, but all spaces are naturally ventilated including the auditorium with its 440 seats. Clever, out of sight concrete labyrinths supply and expel air whilst maintaining total acoustic isolation. It is one of the first naturally ventilated auditoria in the UK. The generosity of its public spaces, which, on a tight site, are unexpected and delightful, are used throughout the day and night. As Haworth Tompkins’ first completely new theatre, it is a culmination of their many explorations into the theatre of the 21st century.

It is ground-breaking as a truly public building, which was at the heart of the client’s philosophy and ethos. In summary, an extraordinary contribution to both theatre and the city, achieved through clever team working – client, architect, consultants and contractor – where the new truly celebrates the past.' This is the first time Haworth Tompkins has won the RIBA Stirling Prize. They were previously shortlisted in 2007 for London’s Young Vic theatre. The Everyman is their first new-build theatre, amongst a portfolio of over a dozen theatres from the Royal Court in 2000 to the recent temporary ‘Shed’ outside the National Theatre. Their other projects include a secondary school in Birmingham and Coin Street Community Centre in London. The practice is currently working on a regeneration project in Canning Town and a housing development in Stratford, East London.

The Everyman Theatre was chosen by the judges today from the following outstanding shortlisted entries: Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Shard by Renzo Piano Building Workshop The judges for the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize were: Spencer de Grey (Chair) - architect, Foster and Partners; MJ Long - architect, Long and Kentish Architects; Cindy Walters - architect, Walters and Cohen; Stephen Kieran – architect, Kieran Timberlake; and Sir Timothy Sainsbury architectural patron and client. The winners of three other annual RIBA awards were also announced this evening: Stormy Castle, Gower Peninsula, Wales, by Loyn & Co won the 2014 RIBA Manser Medal for the best new private home House No 7, Isle of Tiree, Scotland, by Denizen Works won the RIBA’s 2014 Stephen Lawrence Prize.

Set up in memory of Stephen Lawrence who was setting out on the road to becoming an architect when he was murdered in 1993 and funded by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation, the prize rewards the best project with a construction budget of less than £1 million and is intended to encourage fresh talent working with smaller budgets Manchester Metropolitan University won the 2014 RIBA Client of the Year. The award recognizes the role good clients play in the delivery of fine architecture. The Architects’ Journal is the professional media partner for the RIBA Stirling Prize and RIBA awards. Notes to editors Full information about the RIBA Stirling Prize including previous winners is at: For further press information please contact Beatrice Cooke in the RIBA Press Office on 020 7307 3813 / 07805 173681 or email beatrice.cooke@riba.org Images of the winning building and shortlisted entries can be downloaded from: The RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. It is given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment.

The RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction. This is the 19th year the RIBA Stirling Prize has been presented. Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include: Astley Castle by Witherford Watson Mann (2013); Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge by Stanton Williams (2012); Evelyn Grace Academy, London (2011) and MAXXI Museum, Rome (2010) both by Zaha Hadid Architects; Maggie’s Centre at Charing Cross Hospital, London by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (2009); Accordia housing development by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Maccreanor Lavington (2008); The Museum of Modern Literature, Marbach am Neckar, Germany by David Chipperfield Architects (2007).

Links to images of the RIBA special award winners: 2014 RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize: 2014 RIBA Manser Medal: 2014 RIBA Client of the Year award: The 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize is sponsored by Brockton Capital. The RIBA Manser Medal is sponsored by Hiscox Private Insurance. The Architects’ Journal is professional media partner for the RIBA Stirling Prize BBC News Online is partnering with the RIBA in coverage of the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize. The RIBA Stirling Prize party is supported by Champagne Taittinger and Heineken. The Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and its members.

@RIBA #StirlingPrize WAN:: RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 by Haworth Tompkins in Liverpool, United Kingdom Be the first to comment Haworth Tompkins win Stirling Prize 2014 with Everyman Theatre The new Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, UK, has won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2014, the UK's most prestigious architecture prize, for the best building of the year. The theatre was clearly destined for centre stage when the WAN AWARDS judges selected it as the winning project in the highly contested international Performing Spaces category back in July. The old Everyman Theatre in Liverpool opened in 1964 in the shell of a nineteenth century chapel on one of Liverpool's main streets. Although a much-loved institution, the building itself was in a state of disrepair. The decision to pull the theatre down and replace it with a new one has been a nine-year project for Haworth Tompkins who have successfully created an entirely new and sustainable building, whilst retaining and revitalising the best-loved features of its predecessor.

The architects were tasked with ensuring that the soul of the old Everyman, one of informality and community ownership - the ‘theatre of the people'- was carried into the new building. The new building includes a technically advanced and highly adaptable theatre which exactly mirrors the shape of the original, smaller performance spaces, rehearsal room, a sumptuous green room, public foyer, café and bar along with supporting office and ancillary spaces. Back and front of house are turned out using the same materials and the same exquisite attention to detail, creating a building which is incredibly tactile. "Quirky sense of humour" ‘The new Everyman in Liverpool is truly for every man, woman and child. It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day. Its context - the handsome street that links the two cathedrals - is brilliantly complemented by the building's scale, transparency, materials and quirky sense of humour, notably where the solar shading is transformed into a parade of Liverpudlians," the Prize judges said in their citation. Furthermore, the theatre is "exceptionally sustainable".

The construction re-used 90% of the material from the old theatre, while all spaces are naturally ventilated, including the highly adaptable 440-seat auditorium. Clever, out-of-sight concrete labyrinths supply and expel air whilst maintain total acoustic isolation. "[It is] an extraordinary contribution to both theatre and city, achieved through clever team working - client, architects, consultant and contractor - where the new truly celebrates the past," the judges summarised. "The success of this exceptional new building lies in the architect's close involvement with the local community throughout the project. Haworth Tompkins have struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool with the vibrant new Everyman. Complementing beautifully with the surrounding listed buildings, it is a ground-breaking example of how to build a daring, bold and highly sustainable large public building in a historic city centre," said RIBA President Stephen Hodder when presenting the prize to the firm in an awards ceremony last night. "Winning the RIBA Stirling Prize is an enormous honour for our project team and our clients ...

It is also an important endorsement of our studio's ethos and an encouragement to carry on working the way we do, despite the pressures all of us are under to speed up and dumb down," said Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins. And Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz and Executive Director Deborah Aydon from the theatre were equally delighted with the win: "Since we reopened, the warmth of feeling from the public to their much-loved Everyman - giving a daring and brilliant rebirth by Haworth Tomkins - has been overwhelming". "They have designed us a building that supplies joy beyond expectation for every visitor and those of us lucky enough to work there," they added. In addition to winning this year's Stirling Prize, the theatre has also won the RIBA National Award, the RIBA North West award and the aforementioned WAN Performing Spaces Award 2014 . First-time win However, this is the first time the firm have won the Stirling, although they were shortlisted in 2007 with London's Young Vic theatre.

The Everyman is their first new-build theatre, amongst a portfolio of over a dozen theatres from the Royal Court in 2000 to the recent temporary ‘Shed' outside the National Theatre. The Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria, including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate, engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose, and the level of client satisfaction. The judges selected the Everyman from the following outstanding shortlisted entries: Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo, London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects, London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects, Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and The Shard by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

Client: Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust Contractor: Gilbert Ash Liverpool’s Everyman theatre wins Stirling prize | Art and design | The Guardian Stirling prize Liverpool’s Everyman theatre wins Stirling prize Design by Haworth Tompkins architects chosen ahead of the Shard, the LSE’s student centre and the Olympic aquatics centre The Everyman theatre in Liverpool, for which Haworth Tompkins architects has won the Stirling prize. Photograph: Philip Vile Thursday 16 October 2014 15.28 EDT Last modified on Friday 17 October 2014 05.04 EDT Share on Messenger Close Parked like a redbrick ocean liner, with its four chimneys poking proudly on to Liverpool’s skyline, the Everyman theatre , designed by Haworth Tompkins architects , has won the Stirling prize for the best building of the year. It is a surprise choice for the prize, awarded by Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba), beating off the bookies’ favourite of the LSE’s student centre in Aldwych, as well as the Shard and the Olympic aquatics centre .

Almost 10 years in the making, the building replaced a theatre on the same site, which opened in 1964 in a converted 19th-century chapel. It had become a much-loved institution, having launched the careers of local heroes like Roger McGough and the Liverpool poets, and the playwright Willy Russell. With a limited budget of £28m, the architects were charged to make a building that “shouldn’t feel too posh”, in the words of the theatre’s artistic director Gemma Bodinetz, with the “warmth, earthiness and democratic humanity” of the old theatre. Liverpool’s Everyman theatre is described as ‘inclusive and warm’ by actor Lynn Best. Photograph: Haworth Tompkins Limited It was a daunting task. “Many people expressed the view that, if we messed this up, we needn’t bother coming back to the city,” said architect Steve Tompkins. “It is an institution that is owned and loved by the people of Liverpool.” Thankfully the replacement, which opened to the public in March, seems to have been equally well received. The project is a remarkable achievement, doing that rare thing for a new building, of feeling like it’s always been there.

The auditorium is built from gnarled, grubby bricks, recycled from the original chapel, while new walls of rough cast concrete project out into the foyer, like the stripped-back bones of an old structure, recalling the former theatre’s 1970s extension. Pinterest The Everyman theatre in Liverpool, designed by Haworth Tompkins architects, which has triumphed in the Riba Stirling prize over other buildings including the Shard. Photograph: Riba/PA Within this rugged shell, the architects have inserted a palette of basic materials, which are somehow made precious, deployed with an alchemical touch. Simple stuff like cork and stained plywood is elevated into something special, forming a tactile, theatrical world. There are copper light-fittings and black glazed tiles, old laboratory benches reused as bar counters, concrete shuttering remade as sliding screens. It is a kind of architecture that takes relish in the craft of making and assembling, creating a sequence of carefully staged spaces with an economy of means. The auditorium is tightly planned, with the original 10-metre thrust stage faithfully recreated, around which the audience is closely packed. “It does what the original Everyman space did, but even better,” said actor Lynn Best.

“It’s inclusive and warm, and there’s not a lot of remove between us and the audience.” The judges were impressed by the welcoming ambience of the public foyers, the sense of interlocking spaces and the project’s sustainability credentials, reusing 90% of the materials on site and being one of the country’s few naturally ventilated auditoriums. “It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day,” they said. “Its context – the handsome street that links the two cathedrals – is brilliantly complemented by the building’s scale, transparency, materials and quirky sense of humour.” New walls of rough cast concrete project out into the foyer, like the stripped-back bones of an old structure, recalling the former theatre’s 1970s extension. Photograph: Haworth Tompkins Limited The Everyman is the first entirely new-build theatre for Haworth Tompkins, which has amassed a portfolio of over a dozen acclaimed theatre projects over the last 15 years, beginning with its reworking of the Royal Court theatre , in London, in 2000.

The architects’ imaginative remodelling of the Young Vic in Southwark was shortlisted for the Stirling prize in 2007, for breathing new life into a theatre that was intended to be temporary when it was built in 1970. With a new shell and fittings gathered with magpie glee, it has the same “as found” feel of the Everyman that has become the practice’s trademark style. Following the practice’s wildly successful temporary Shed theatre , a bright red timber box with four chimneys that appeared on the South Bank, London, last summer, it completed a £22m revival of Powell & Moya’s 1960s Chichester Festival theatre this year, and it is engaged in a £35m masterplan and extension to the National Theatre . Tompkins said of the award: “It is an important endorsement of our studio’s ethos and an encouragement to carry on working the way we do, despite the pressures all of us are under to speed up and dumb down.

We couldn’t be more delighted.” It was a disappointing result for O’Donnell and Tuomey , the Irish duo behind the striking brick mountain of the LSE student centre, making it the fifth time they have narrowly missed out on Stirling victory. Topics After two years, the £28m redevelopment of Liverpool’s Everyman theatre by Haworth Tompkins has been completed Published: 15 Mar 2014 The shortlist for the architecture prize sets out to compare what can't be compared. Rowan Moore has a go anyway Published: 19 Jul 2014 Other contenders for architecture award include Birmingham library, Everyman theatre in Liverpool and LSE student centre Published: 16 Jul 2014 RIBA awards Liverpool's Everyman Theatre the prestigious Stirling Prize - Archpaper.com Share: Everyman Theatre (Courtesy Philip Vile) The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, England—a cultural institution with a democratic spirit and a history of producing thespian talent—has topped the competition including Zaha Hadid and won the much sought-after 2014 Stirling Prize from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) .

The new building, designed by Haworth Tompkins, a London-based firm boasting of more than a dozen theater projects, replaces Everyman’s former home in the shell of Hope Hall, a 19th century dissenter’s chapel. Everyman Theatre (Courtesy Philip Vile) Completed in 2013, the new venue now features a 400-seat auditorium, a series of creative workspaces, a sound studio, a “Writer’s Room,” and dedicated spaces for community groups, in addition to a bistro in the basement, a street level café, and several foyers and catering areas. Roughly 25,000 bricks from the original chapel were salvaged and reused for the wrap-around auditorium. This is just one of many sustainable strategies employed, with the goal of achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating, including rooftop rainwater collection, locally-sourced and recycled materials, natural ventilation systems, and a combined heat and power unit to reduce energy consumption. In conceiving the design, the architects sought the feedback of Liverpool locals.

The theater’s community-oriented mission is reflected in the “Portrait Wall” mounted on the west-facing facade, which is comprised of 105 aluminum sunshades featuring life-size images of the city’s residents. Auditorium (Courtesy Philip Vile) “The new Everyman in Liverpool is truly for every man, woman and child. It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day. Its context—the handsome street that links the two cathedrals—is brilliantly complemented by the building’s scale, transparency, materials and quirky sense of humour, notably where the solar shading is transformed into a parade of Liverpudlians,” the judges said in a statement. (Courtesy Philip Vile) Everyman Theatre beat out high profile projects on the shortlist, such as: Mecanoo’s Library of Birmingham , London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects , London School of Economics by Saw Swee Hock, Student Centre by O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, and The Shard by Renzo Piano Building Workshop.

UK's best new building: Everyman Theatre wins RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 | Building Design + Construction UK's best new building: Everyman Theatre wins RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 Now in its 19th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize. October 20, 2014 | RIBA The new Everyman Theatre in Liverpool by Haworth Tompkins has won the coveted RIBA Stirling Prize 2014 for the best building of the year. Now in its 19th year, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture prize. The presentation of the RIBA Stirling Prize trophy to Haworth Tompkins took place at a special ceremony on October 16 at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. The old Everyman Theatre in Liverpool opened in 1964 in the shell of a 19th-century chapel on one of Liverpool’s main streets. Although a much-loved institution, the building itself was in a state of disrepair.

The decision to pull the theater down and replace it with a new one has been a nine-year project for the architects Haworth Tompkins. They have expertly met a difficult challenge: that of creating an entirely new and sustainable building, while retaining and revitalizing the best-loved features of its predecessor. The architects were tasked with ensuring that the soul of the old Everyman, one of informality and community ownership—the "theatre of the people"—was carried into the new building. The result is a new building with a striking exterior and elegant interior, all with exceptional attention to detail and sustainability credentials. RIBA President Stephen Hodder said: “The success of this exceptional new building lies in the architect’s close involvement with the local community throughout the project. Haworth Tompkins have struck the perfect balance between continuity and change to win the hearts and minds of the people of Liverpool with the vibrant new Everyman. Complementing beautifully with the surrounding listed buildings, it is a ground-breaking example of how to build a daring bold and highly sustainable large public building in a historic city centre.

The building exceeds expectations and I am delighted to present Haworth Tompkins with the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize.” The judges' citation for the RIBA Stirling Prize winner: “The new Everyman in Liverpool is truly for every man, woman, and child. It cleverly resolves so many of the issues architects face every day. Its context—the handsome street that links the two cathedrals—is brilliantly complemented by the building’s scale, transparency, materials, and quirky sense of humour, notably where the solar shading is transformed into a parade of Liverpudlians. The ambience of the theatre is hugely welcoming with three elegant and accessible public foyers for bars, lounges and café/bistro. Clever use of materials with interlocking spaces and brilliant lighting make this an instantly enjoyable new public space for the city." "It is exceptionally sustainable; not only did the construction re-use 90% of the material from the old theater, but all spaces are naturally ventilated including the auditorium with its 440 seats. Clever, out of sight concrete labyrinths supply and expel air while maintaining total acoustic isolation.

It is one of the first naturally ventilated auditoria in the UK. The generosity of its public spaces, which, on a tight site, are unexpected and delightful, are used throughout the day and night. As Howarth Tompkins’ first completely new theatre, it is a culmination of their many explorations into the theatre of the 21st century. It is ground-breaking as a truly public building, which was at the heart of the client’s philosophy and ethos. In summary, an extraordinary contribution to both theatre and the city, achieved through clever team working—client, architect, consultants, and contractor—where the new truly celebrates the past.” This is the first time Haworth Tompkins has won the RIBA Stirling Prize. The firm was previously shortlisted in 2007 for London’s Young Vic theatre. The Everyman is its first new-build theater, among a portfolio of over a dozen theaters from the Royal Court in 2000 to the recent temporary "Shed" outside the National Theatre. Its other projects include a secondary school in Birmingham and Coin Street Community Centre in London. The practice is currently working on a regeneration project in Canning Town and a housing development in Stratford, East London.

The Everyman Theatre was chosen by the judges from the following outstanding shortlisted entries: Library of Birmingham by Mecanoo London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects London School of Economics - Saw Swee Hock Student Centre by O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects Manchester School of Art by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios The Shard by Renzo Piano Building Workshop The judges for the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize were: Spencer de Grey (Chair) - architect, Foster and Partners; MJ Long - architect, Long and Kentish Architects; Cindy Walters - architect, Walters and Cohen; Stephen Kieran – architect, Kieran Timberlake; and Sir Timothy Sainsbury architectural patron and client.

The winners of three other annual RIBA awards were also announced: Stormy Castle, Gower Peninsula, Wales, by Loyn & Co., won the 2014 RIBA Manser Medal for the best new private home House No 7, Isle of Tiree, Scotland, by Denizen Works won the RIBA’s 2014 Stephen Lawrence Prize for best project with a construction budget of less than £1 million Manchester Metropolitan University won the 2014 RIBA Client of the Year. The award recognizes the role good clients play in the delivery of fine architecture.

Question: The architects of which Liverpool building won the 2014 Stirling Prize?
Answer: EVERYMAN THEATRE